Troy University Athletics
Track Programs Add Depth for New Season
8/10/2007 5:00:00 AM | Track & Field
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University track program has added 16 new student-athletes for the 2007-08 season, including several who have competed at elite level as prep standouts.
Head coach Jill Lancaster said that six new athletes have been added to the women's program, while 10 new athletes will join the men's program.
The women's class includes five high school seniors and one junior college transfer, while the men's features seven from high schools and one from a junior college. Lancaster also announces that several walk-ons will be joining the program.
"The women's class is larger than usual and will provide depth that we have not had that last two years," Lancaster said. "This should eliminate the stress we have had on our other athletes.
"With the men's team, we are addressing our needs in the distance events," Lancaster added. “We have always had a deep team in many areas, but need to develop our program in all areas in order to compete at the highest levels of the Sun Belt Conference.”
Among the additions to the women's team, Shelisa Crawford, of Smith's Station, was recognized this season for her state championship performances in the 200-meters and long jump in addition to her ability to perform at a high level all season. She earned recognition as the state female athlete of the year last year.
Porsche Holden, another athlete of the year, from Redan High School in Georgia, brings the most diverse talent to the program. She helped Redan to a state runner-up finish by scoring 28 points for her team in the sprints, hurdles, relays and jumps. Her hurdle skills alone should put her in an elite field in the Sun Belt Conference.
Another Georgia product, Tatiana Thomas of LaGrange High School, is an experienced 400-meter runner who will also provide additional depth in the sprints and relays. Another LaGrange standout, Chontia Allen, helped her team in the relays, sprints, hurdles and jumps.
Pensacola Junior College transfer Gerica Wicks has strong high school credentials in the sprints.
“Shelisia's Athlete of the Year Award speaks of her talents, while I see Porsche as being able to apply herself to a variety of events very quickly,” Lancaster said. “The sleeper in the bunch is Gerica Wicks, who may be someone the league will have to reckon with in the near future.”
Other addition to the women's program include Kim Hardy of Falkner Junior College in sprints and hurdles and javelin thrower Nicole Kelly of Oak Mountain High School. Returning redshirt long sprinter Gabby Williams of Pelham will also have a chance to provide the team with a spark.
The middle distances and distance crew will get a boost from Brentley Collins of White Water High School in Georgia. She will compete on both the track and cross country teams. Kelly Compton of Hoover is an 800-meter specialist who can also run cross country while Doris Arrington from Valley High School will help fill in on the longer distance races and cross country.
“The men's program ads two athletes who have elite level accomplishments under their belt already,” Lancaster said. “They will have an opportunity to provide the team with immediate leadership.”
Virginia Intermont College transfer Desmond Brown, a native of Atlanta, Ga., comes to Troy with NAIA All-America talent in the 400-meter hurdles, sprints and relays. He joins Dwayne Ferguson of Nassau, The Bahamas, an 800-meter specialist, who is just returning from the Pan American Junior Championships.
“Dwayne has great foot speed which will put him in the mix in the 800 or 1500 meters, but he also has the range to run cross country,” Lancaster said.
Depth issues with middle and distance events were addressed with the addition of Alabama prep standouts Tim Landry of Hoover and Michael Niezgoda of Homewood. Landry in everything from the 800 to cross country, but especially in the mile, while Niezgoda is an 800-meter specialist who can also run cross country.
Alabama also provided one of the top sprinters in the new class in Tony McLeod of Opelika. His individual performances in the 100 and 200-meters were highly ranked and should ensure the Trojans' ability to continue to compete at the Conference and NCAA level in the 4-by-100 relay. Drew Taylor of South Walton High School will add depth in the long sprints and jumps.
The program also increased its stock of vaulters with the addition of Joseph Callaway of Leeds, Grant Bullington of Hoover and Wallace Community College transfer Jeremy Cline.
“I firmly believe this group has a huge upswing and should be fun to watch,” Lancaster said.
In addition, shot specialist Scott Neal of Tate High in Pensacola and discus thrower Michael Martin of Winder Barrow High in Georgia will bolster the team in those areas.
The group of newcomers will be joined by several athletes returning from redshirts last year. Those include Mitch Hutto of Chiles HS in Tallahassee and Shogo Sugawara of Saitama, Japan, in the long hurdles along with Braxton Cescutti of Hewitt-Trussville. Joe Hicks will add depth in the javelin, while Zach Davies of South Walton HS (high jump) and multi-talented Terrell Bailey of Billingsley HS (sprints, jumps and hurdles) will be expected to apply their skills.
“Without a doubt, I believe this recruiting class has the ability to help our teams achieve their goals to be a top Sun Belt Conference team while qualify athletes for NCAA competitions,” Lancaster said.
Head coach Jill Lancaster said that six new athletes have been added to the women's program, while 10 new athletes will join the men's program.
The women's class includes five high school seniors and one junior college transfer, while the men's features seven from high schools and one from a junior college. Lancaster also announces that several walk-ons will be joining the program.
"The women's class is larger than usual and will provide depth that we have not had that last two years," Lancaster said. "This should eliminate the stress we have had on our other athletes.
"With the men's team, we are addressing our needs in the distance events," Lancaster added. “We have always had a deep team in many areas, but need to develop our program in all areas in order to compete at the highest levels of the Sun Belt Conference.”
Among the additions to the women's team, Shelisa Crawford, of Smith's Station, was recognized this season for her state championship performances in the 200-meters and long jump in addition to her ability to perform at a high level all season. She earned recognition as the state female athlete of the year last year.
Porsche Holden, another athlete of the year, from Redan High School in Georgia, brings the most diverse talent to the program. She helped Redan to a state runner-up finish by scoring 28 points for her team in the sprints, hurdles, relays and jumps. Her hurdle skills alone should put her in an elite field in the Sun Belt Conference.
Another Georgia product, Tatiana Thomas of LaGrange High School, is an experienced 400-meter runner who will also provide additional depth in the sprints and relays. Another LaGrange standout, Chontia Allen, helped her team in the relays, sprints, hurdles and jumps.
Pensacola Junior College transfer Gerica Wicks has strong high school credentials in the sprints.
“Shelisia's Athlete of the Year Award speaks of her talents, while I see Porsche as being able to apply herself to a variety of events very quickly,” Lancaster said. “The sleeper in the bunch is Gerica Wicks, who may be someone the league will have to reckon with in the near future.”
Other addition to the women's program include Kim Hardy of Falkner Junior College in sprints and hurdles and javelin thrower Nicole Kelly of Oak Mountain High School. Returning redshirt long sprinter Gabby Williams of Pelham will also have a chance to provide the team with a spark.
The middle distances and distance crew will get a boost from Brentley Collins of White Water High School in Georgia. She will compete on both the track and cross country teams. Kelly Compton of Hoover is an 800-meter specialist who can also run cross country while Doris Arrington from Valley High School will help fill in on the longer distance races and cross country.
“The men's program ads two athletes who have elite level accomplishments under their belt already,” Lancaster said. “They will have an opportunity to provide the team with immediate leadership.”
Virginia Intermont College transfer Desmond Brown, a native of Atlanta, Ga., comes to Troy with NAIA All-America talent in the 400-meter hurdles, sprints and relays. He joins Dwayne Ferguson of Nassau, The Bahamas, an 800-meter specialist, who is just returning from the Pan American Junior Championships.
“Dwayne has great foot speed which will put him in the mix in the 800 or 1500 meters, but he also has the range to run cross country,” Lancaster said.
Depth issues with middle and distance events were addressed with the addition of Alabama prep standouts Tim Landry of Hoover and Michael Niezgoda of Homewood. Landry in everything from the 800 to cross country, but especially in the mile, while Niezgoda is an 800-meter specialist who can also run cross country.
Alabama also provided one of the top sprinters in the new class in Tony McLeod of Opelika. His individual performances in the 100 and 200-meters were highly ranked and should ensure the Trojans' ability to continue to compete at the Conference and NCAA level in the 4-by-100 relay. Drew Taylor of South Walton High School will add depth in the long sprints and jumps.
The program also increased its stock of vaulters with the addition of Joseph Callaway of Leeds, Grant Bullington of Hoover and Wallace Community College transfer Jeremy Cline.
“I firmly believe this group has a huge upswing and should be fun to watch,” Lancaster said.
In addition, shot specialist Scott Neal of Tate High in Pensacola and discus thrower Michael Martin of Winder Barrow High in Georgia will bolster the team in those areas.
The group of newcomers will be joined by several athletes returning from redshirts last year. Those include Mitch Hutto of Chiles HS in Tallahassee and Shogo Sugawara of Saitama, Japan, in the long hurdles along with Braxton Cescutti of Hewitt-Trussville. Joe Hicks will add depth in the javelin, while Zach Davies of South Walton HS (high jump) and multi-talented Terrell Bailey of Billingsley HS (sprints, jumps and hurdles) will be expected to apply their skills.
“Without a doubt, I believe this recruiting class has the ability to help our teams achieve their goals to be a top Sun Belt Conference team while qualify athletes for NCAA competitions,” Lancaster said.
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